Chris Sampson, Joe Thurston propel New Orleans Zephyrs

Zephyrs starter Chris Sampson pitched seven scoreless innings, and Joe Thurston hit a two-run, first-inning homer to get the New Orleans Zephyrs off and running in a 3-0 New Orleans victory against Colorado Springs on Friday night at Zephyr Field.

Jorge Padilla led off the Zephyrs’ first with a walk against Alan Johnson before Thurston lined a shot over the wall in right.

Logan Morrison hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth, capping the scoring.

Sampson (8-1) had by far his sharpest outing since the All-Star break, allowing six hits, striking out six batters and walking one. In his first six outings since the break, including five starts, he was 1-1 with a 7.82 earned-run average. He lowered his season ERA from 4.03 to 3.74.

Victor Garate pitched a 1-2-3 eighth for the Zephyrs, and Sandy Rosario pitched a hitless ninth for his fourth save. The Zephyrs, who have won 15 of their past 20 home games, capped a 6-2 home stand.

Johnson (4-9) allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings before being replaced by Baton Rouge native Blake Johnson.

He allowed the run in the eighth. Miguel Fermin, pinch-hitting for Garate, led off with a walk and advanced on a wild pitch. After Jorge Padilla struck out, left-hander Eric Stults replaced Blake Johnson. Thurston blooped a single to center and moved to second on the throw to the plate as Fermin held at third. Morrison drove home Fermin with a sacrifice fly to deep right.

Sampson avoided damage in the third, fourth and fifth innings. He struck out Mike Paulk with a runner on second to end the third.

In the fourth, Sampson allowed a one-out single by Joe Mather, who stole second. But Sampson struck out Jordan Pacheco and retired Matt Macri on a fly ball to right fielder Alex Romero in deep right center.

Second baseman Thurston and left fielder Morrison made defensive plays to help Sampson pitch out of trouble in the fifth. Scott Beerer led off with a single and moved to second when Johnson grounded out to second. Beerer stayed at second when Ryan Rohlinger reached base on an infield single. Sampson got Jesus Merchan to fly out to right. Thurston saved a run by knocking down a one-hop smash hit by Paulk, who reached on an infield single. With the bases loaded, Jorge Cantu hit drive into the left-field corner, and Morrison made a running catch near the wall to end the inning.

QUICK HITS: Zephyrs first baseman Mike Cervenak was ejected by plate umpire Jim Volpi after being called out on strikes in the sixth. Cervenak was walking toward the dugout, away from Volpi, when he signaled the ejection.

The Zephyrs won consecutive series for the second time this season.

COGHLAN HEADED TO ZEPHYRS: The Marlins on Friday optioned outfielder Chris Coghlan to the Zephyrs, and he is expected to join the team in Round Rock. Coghlan will play center field, Manager Greg Norton said.

Coghlan was National League rookie of the year in 2009. He hit .344 in 25 games for the Zephyrs that season before being promoted to Florida. He hit .321 in 128 games for the Marlins.

Last season, Coghlan hit .268 in 91 games for Florida. He tore the meniscus in his left knee in July 2010. This season, he hit .230 in 65 games with the Marlins before being placed on the disabled list June 17 with knee inflammation.

Coghlan is coming off a rehab stint at Class A Jupiter. He batted .343 in 10 games for Jupiter.

UP NEXT: The Zephyrs will open a four-game series at Round Rock with a game starting at 7:05 tonight. Zephyrs right-hander Elih Villanueva (6-10, 5.41) will pitch against Express right-hander Ryan Tucker (3-5, 4.92).

Bob Fortus can be reached at rfortus@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3408.